The interdisciplinary Oral Biology program is offered by the School of Dentistry with cooperating faculty in the Medical School, College of Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine. It gives students research skills and a broad understanding of the development, structure, function, and pathology of the orofacial region. Students are encouraged to focus in one of five areas of emphasis: biomaterials and biomechanics; epithelial biology and carcinogenesis; microbiology and immunology; sensory neuroscience; and bone biology, craniofacial development, and tissue engineering. An exceptional student can create his/her own area of emphasis or specialize in topics not listed here; students should discuss their interests with the director of graduate studies before applying. Curricula are designed to allow considerable flexibility in planning individual programs to accommodate specific areas of interest.

Program Delivery

This program is available:

via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)

Prerequisites for Admission

For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.

Program Requirements

Use of 4xxx courses towards program requirements is not permitted.

A master's minor in oral biology consists of 6 credits, at least two advanced courses in oral biology, and other coursework determined in consultation with the director of graduate studies.
A Ph.D. minor in oral biology consists of 12 credits, at least two advanced courses in oral biology, and other coursework in consultation with the director of graduate studies.